It has been observed that when Apple refreshes its iPhone model with design changes, it comes out as an "S" version. However, speculations suggest that since there will be a major design overhaul next year, Apple will pass by an "S" iteration for the iPhone 7, and will instead go straight to a step-up iPhone 8 lineup.

According to Fortune, analysts are predicting that with the reports of Apple having a major overhaul for its iPhone lineup next year, there will be no iPhone 7s. Instead, the Cupertino-based company will immediately proceed with an iPhone 8 release. Barclays analyst Mark Moskowitz said that the iPhone 7 will instead be a "replacement cycle," bridging the gap between the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 8. Since the next iPhone will not include any major changes, Moskowitz predicts that Apple sales will take a slump by at least 1.8% from last year's sales figures. The analyst stated that the decrease is due to the iPhone 7 not having "must-have" components.

Contrary to the iPhone 7, the analyst says that the iPhone 8 will have big, major upgrades, and that "The jump could showcase major form factor changes, including OLED, no home button, and wireless charging."

Meanwhile, although the iPhone 7 will not have major upgrades, it will still offer step-up features than the iPhone 6s. According to MacRumors, one such feature may be faster LTE speeds. Reportedly, Apple will be switching from Qualcomm to Intel technology for its LTE modems in the next iPhone. This will make browsing the web, downloading apps, streaming video, and other internet-based functions faster, particularly if Intel proposes new technology. Qualcomm, a tried-and-tested LTE modem supplier of Apple for years, already did this with the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. The current MDM9635 chipset in the flagships offer downlink speeds of up to 300 Mbps and uplink of up to 50 Mbps.